It wasn't all that long ago when watching a movie on a phone meant watching a low-definition recording of your child being cute or your friend doing something ridiculous. Camera phones with recording capabilities didn't shoot HD videos, and these phones had less internal memory than modern phones. This meant your low-quality video couldn't be very long. Phones have come a long way since then, however. When someone asks if you want to watch a movie on their phone, you can definitely expect something better.

Now days, smartphones can browse the latest YouTube videos online, either in the browser or directly from a YouTube app. This gives you the opportunity to check out the newest music videos from your favorite artists or the latest installment in that Indie Web series you like, but phones aren't just capable of watching short videos. Dozens of streaming services offer content directly to your phone, and 4G coverage means you can watch without being interrupted by buffering. If you're on a train or waiting in a doctor's office, you can watch your favorite film or check out last night's shows with ease. Premium channels like HBO and allow users to watch and movies and shows on any mobile device as long as you have a subscription.

A few years ago, it was difficult to believe that anyone would ever watch a full movie on their phone, but now almost everyone does it. In fact, accessory manufacturers are making cases, docks and stands that let you set your phone on the desk to watch a movie without having to hold it in front of your face. There's definitely money to be had with accessories, and manufacturers know exactly how to make it. Even cable and satellite providers have gotten in on the action, letting customers control their set-top boxes from their phones and watch recorded content outside of the house.

The cell networks have also been paying attention. It seems like many of the carriers are in a race to expand 4G coverage, and as they do, it definitely benefits you if you have a newer cell phone. You can watch seamless streaming video, download films to your phone and enjoy Pandora Radio without a pause or glitch in the sound and video. Who would have thought that cell technology would come so far in so few years?

In fact, many people argued that we would never get to a point where users could and would want to watch full-length movies on their cell phones just a few short years ago. They argued that screens were too small, but manufacturers are constantly increasing screen size, and combination tablet-phone hybrids now exist.

Cell phones have quickly replaced portable DVD players for parents who want to make sure that their children are entertained while waiting around or on car trips. Many families now have more than one of these devices, which means Dad can use the GPS on his phone in the driver's seat while the kids can giggle over a character's silly antics in the newest Pixar release.